Pamela Knight Sacco

Pamela Knight Sacco, musician, philanthropist, ardent volunteer, and generous person passed away at her home on October 16, 2024 from natural causes.

Pamela was born in Miami, Florida in 1944 to artist Thomas Ansel Knight and singer Genevieve Harris Knight.  After attending Coral Gables High School, Pamela received a degree in elementary education at the University of Miami where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.  She then went on to receive a Master’s degree in Medical Record Administration at the University of Pennsylvania.  

After leaving school, while working as a medical record administrator at Saint Agnes Hospital in Morristown, NJ, she met her husband, internist and geriatric medicine specialist John Russell Sacco.  Seeking a milder climate, they decided to move to Hendersonville where Pamela had fond memories of the time spent with her family at their vacation home near Saluda.  Pamela managed Russell’s medical practice and they made a beautiful life for themselves in Hendersonville.

Inspired by Russell’s passion for healing and bolstered by her background in healthcare administration, Pamela became a powerful force for supporting and advocating for local healthcare providers and those in need of treatment.  Pamela volunteered with the Henderson County Medical Auxiliary to support doctors in this community and became president of the NC Medical Auxiliary.  Later, she was instrumental in the formation of Friends of Children United Services (FOCUS), a unified alliance of services for attending to victims of sexual abuse, enabling a victim-centric approach to care and helping to reduce the burden and suffering experienced by victims.  FOCUS later came together with the domestic violence center here and formed Safelite.  To raise money for this important cause, she organized a fundraiser in which the doctors and lawyers of Hendersonville came to together to play basketball: the JAWbones vs. SAWbones game.   

Russell began a drive to form a free clinic for those that could not afford healthcare in Henderson county.   After much effort, the first free clinic opened in 2001.   Pamela worked continuously to raise money and also donated in other ways to keep the free clinics growing and thriving even after Russell passed away.

Pamela’s work extended beyond healthcare into conservation efforts near the rural Green River Gorge area of Henderson County where her childhood mountain cabin was located.  Eventually, Pamela and others were able to conserve over 200 acres of land with assistance from Conserving Carolina.

A gifted musician with both the oboe and English horn, Pamela played for many years in the Hendersonville Symphony (as well as serving on the Board), the Brevard Philharmonic, the Asheville Symphony, and the Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra.  

Passionate about remedying Hendersonville’s lack of a sizable performing arts center and yearning for a place where her beloved Hendersonville Symphony could play, she worked tirelessly on an architectural competition to create a downtown performing arts center.  Although it never came to fruition, her work made the community more aware of the importance of a large performing arts center.

There are many more volunteer efforts, too many to mention. Pamela was a generous supporter to many area nonprofits.  She was relentless in securing backing for many causes she believed in and was not afraid to ask others to join committees and give financial support.  She was a force to be reckoned with because it was hard to say no to Pamela, as anyone who knew her is aware.  Her passing is a loss to our community.

Pamela was a devoted friend, aunt, great aunt, stepmother and step grandmother.  There was a constant stream of cards and gifts that she rushed to the post office to get off to all of those dear to her.  She tried to attend as many graduations and  special events of family and friends as possible.  All the community admired her loving attention and care for Russell especially when he experienced failing health.

Left to carry her memory are: sister, Connie Knight (Richard Johnson);  nephew, Jordan Glassman (Beth Bennett), and grand nephew River Bennett Glassman, Durham, NC;  niece, Ariel Glassman (Dan Davidson), Miami Beach, FL; niece Elisabeth Edwards (Josh Wainwright),grand niece Alexandria Edwards-Wainwright, Gainesville, FL; stepson Russell Sacco Jr., Delray Beach, FL, step grandson, Craig Sacco (Julia Sacco), Palm Beach, FL, step granddaughter Stacy Sacco, Poughkeepsie, NY;  stepson, Geoffrey Sacco, Ithaca, NY; stepson, Jon Sacco, (Cathy Sacco), step granddaughter, Emma Sacco, Denver, CO, and step granddaughter Allie Sacco, Phoenix, AZ; numerous brothers and sisters in law, and countless friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Ansel and Genevieve Harris Knight, and sister, Karen Estelle Knight.

A celebration of Pamela's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Safelight, the Hendersonville Symphony, or Conserving Carolina.

Pamela was robust in life and liked to say, “I am not afraid of tomorrow for I have seen yesterday and I love today.”  Celebrate Pamela’s memory with us: do something good for our community. 

Church Street Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and an online register can be found at  www.churchstreetfuneralhome.com